How to Apply Eye Makeup: Foolproof Tips and Tutorials

Let’s be honest: When it comes to mastering the art of how to do eye makeup, there’s a lot that you need to know. From learning how to apply eyeshadow and eyeliner to locking down the correct product order, creating an eye makeup look can be a bit intimidating. And while you may shy away from eye makeup out of the fear of getting it all wrong, with patience and a positive spirit, you can totally transition from makeup novice to expert. Lucky for you, we’re here to help! Follow along to find out how to apply eye makeup and learn about the hottest eye makeup trends for your next makeup look.

HOW TO APPLY EYE MAKEUP

Want to learn how to do eye makeup? Below, we’re sharing the correct application order to help you do just that.

STEP #1: EYE MAKEUP PRIMER

Before you reach for any eyeshadows or eyeliner, it’s essential to prep your lids with an eye makeup primer. Eye primer helps to create an even base for a smooth makeup application.

STEP #2: EYEBROWS

If you’ve been keeping up with social media, then you know that feathered brows are all the rage. A great way to show off natural-looking eyebrows with a carefree touch, you can count on this look to pair perfectly with any eye makeup look you dream up.

To kick things off, you’ll want to sculpt your brows to perfection with the L’Oréal Paris Unbelievabrow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel. This waterproof eyebrow gel does an amazing job of filling in and thickening brows for long-lasting wear. To use, lightly apply the product, filling in sparse areas using short, feathered strokes. Follow up with the angled brush to outline and define your brow shape and arches. Seal the deal by combing through brows with the spoolie.

STEP #3: EYESHADOW

Now it’s time to play with some color via your eyeshadow! Start by reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette, and use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply the lightest pink shade all over your lid and crease. Next, dust the bright pink shade onto your lid and use a small, angled brush to color your lower lash line. Follow up by sweeping the medium brown shade into your crease to create some depth.

Top it all off by applying the lightest shade from the palette around the inner corner of your eye for a super pretty highlight. Once you master this eyeshadow look, you can play around. The really sweet thing is, you can create both neutral makeup looks and soft glam beauty looks with this palette—it’s all up to you!

STEP #4: EYELINER

There is no better way to brighten and enhance the shape of your eyes than with eyeliner. And whether you’re a fan of pencil eyeliner or liquid eyeliner, you’ll be sure to make a lasting impression. Reach for waterproof eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Le Liner Signature Easy-Glide Mechanical Eyeliner, Waterproof, and line your upper lash line from the inner to the outer corner of your eye. If you’re feeling extra confident, add a wing to take your look to the next level.

STEP #5: MASCARA

Last but certainly not least, we have mascara! This makeup staple is perfect for calling attention to your eyes for a flirty finish. Make your lashes do all of the talking with the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara, Lasting Volume, which gives your eyelashes a curled and volumized appearance. To use, simply sweep on a few coats starting from the base of your lashes and pulling up to the tips.

9 TIPS FOR APPLYING EYE MAKEUP

Now that you have the proper order for applying eye makeup down pat, it’s time to learn a few tips to help take your beauty look to the next level. Here are nine tips about how to do eye makeup that will help turn you into the pro you’re destined to be.

1. ALWAYS USE PRIMER

We’ve mentioned this before, but it’s definitely worth repeating: Always prep your lids with an eye makeup primer. Not only does eyeshadow primer provide your lids with a smooth canvas, but it also helps your makeup last longer, which is the ultimate goal. Basically, it’s a must-have for your eye makeup routine.

2. SUBSTITUTE WITH CONCEALER OR FOUNDATION

All out of eye makeup primer? You can still bring your eye makeup look to life. All you need is a dab of concealer or foundation to prep your lids. Easy, peasy!

3. MAKE ADHESIVE TAPE YOUR BFF

Have you always wanted to flaunt those precise eyeliner and eyeshadow looks? If you’re not too skilled in the art of creating winged eyeliner or geometric looks, there is no need to fret. Regular old adhesive tape can help you make it happen.

Simply place a small piece of tape diagonally at the outer corner of your eye before lining your eyes and winging it out. You can also place the tape on your lower lash line to create an inverted eyeliner look. When you’re done, simply pull off the tape, and your look is complete.

4. COAT YOUR LASHES WITH PRIMER

Just as makeup primer is a must, mascara primer is a great essential to keep in your arsenal. By applying a coat or two of lash primer under your mascara, you can pump up the volume on your lashes for a flawless fringe.

5. USE AN EYE SHADOW QUAD

Not too sure how to pair eyeshadows together for a multidimensional eyeshadow look? Well, consider your work handled with the help of an eyeshadow quad. The perfect product for beginners, quads offer four different eyeshadow shade, all designed to go together, so you can create a gorgeous gradient on your eye.

Try a quad from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow, each of which features a mix of shimmer and matte shadows in coordinating colors to help you create statement-making looks without the guesswork.

6. USE TISSUES TO PREVENT EYESHADOW FALLOUT

If eyeshadow fallout has become the norm during your makeup application, there’s a quick fix that will come right in handy: tissues! That’s right, simply hold a tissue under your eye to catch the fallout, then pull it away when you finish. Voila, no messy fallout to clean up! If you're using glitter eyeshadow and some ends up under your eyes, try using a piece of tape to pick it up without ruining your face makeup. 

7. USE A BUSINESS CARD TO PREVENT MISPLACED MASCARA

Applying mascara can be a very tricky step in your makeup routine. And if you’re prone to getting mascara on your lids, taking extra precautions doesn’t hurt. Simply hold a business card right above your eye, then apply your mascara. If you do happen to miss your lashes, the business card will be left with smudges instead of them being on your skin. Call it a win-win!

8. REMOVE MASCARA SMUDGES WITH MICELLAR WATER

So, you’ve just finished applying your eye makeup, and in one blink, your beauty look is smeared. Ugh! While you may think that all of your hard work has gone down the drain, you can save your beauty look with a bit of micellar water. Simply saturate a cotton swab with the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types and slowly wipe the mascara away.

Editor’s note: Check out our article, How to Prevent Smudged Mascara, for tips to keep your mascara on your lashes, where it belongs.

9. LOCK YOUR EYE MAKEUP IN PLACE

After taking the time to craft the perfect eye makeup look, it’s only right that it goes the distance. Spritz the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Shake & Glow Dew Mist over your face to boost your skin with moisture and set your makeup.

17 EYE MAKEUP TRENDS TO TRY

Now that you know how to apply eye makeup, it’s time to put your knowledge to good use. Here are 17 ideas to help revamp your eye makeup looks.

1. CUT CREASE

You can never go wrong with the trendy cut crease. As the name suggests, this technique consists of defining the crease of your eye by cutting across it with a darker eyeshadow shade or eyeliner and blending it upward, while leaving your lid super crisp. The result is a precise yet eye-catching beauty look that won’t go unnoticed. Head on over to our article, How to Create a Cut Crease, to learn exactly how to do it.

2. DOUBLE CUT CREASE

Now that we have the cut crease trend on your mind, we have to introduce you to the double cut crease. A gorgeous twist on the traditional trend, this look features a mix of eyeshadow shades on the lids with a sharp natural crease and a second crease sculpted right below. Perfect for those who love to take a dramatic approach with their makeup, the double cut crease will certainly become a favorite of yours in no time. Check out our article, How to Create a Double Cut Crease, for a step-by-step tutorial.

3. NEGATIVE SPACE CUT CREASE

Love to take cues from social media? If so, then you’ll want to hop on the negative space cut crease trend. This variation of the cut crease involves using eyeliner to define the shape of your eyes while leaving a blank (aka negative) space in the middle. Step outside of the box with our guide on How to Create a Negative Space Cut Crease.

4. COLORED MASCARA

We can all agree that black mascara is a safe, classic bet for almost any eye makeup look. However, there is plenty of colorful options you can play with to take things to the next level. Whether you want to start with black-brown or go for something more daring like cobalt blue, you can coat your fringe and make your lashes pop! Click through to our articles, How to Wear Blue Mascara and 4 Eye Makeup Looks That Are Even Better with Burgundy Mascara, for inspiration.

5. FOILED EYESHADOW

Can’t get enough of shimmery eye makeup? Then the foiling eyeshadow trend will tickle your fancy. This technique is all about applying wet eyeshadows to give the color a more vibrant and shiny finish. Perfect for anyone who doesn’t have metallic eyeshadow shades to work with, this trend allows you to create a bold, sparkly shade with what you already own. Sounds like a trend you can get behind? Head on over to our article, How to Foil Eyeshadow?, to join the fun.

6. GRAPHIC EYELINER

There is no hard-pressed rule that says you have to wear eyeliner the traditional way. After all, makeup is all about showing off your creativity, and graphic eyeliner is the perfect place to start. Through experimenting with bold colors and geometric shapes, you can spice up your eye makeup without any eyeshadow. See what all the hype is about with 8 Graphic Eyeliner Looks to Add to Your Eye Makeup Rotation.

7. WINGED EYESHADOW

While you may have set your sights on flaunting a winged eyeliner look, you can achieve a similar effect with the help of eyeshadow. Plus, it’s a tad bit easier to create, especially if you’re new to the world of winged eyeliner. All you need to do to get the look is to extend your eyeshadow toward the crease and eyebrow bone in an angular, winged shape. For a full tutorial, read this article: How to Create a Winged Eye Shadow Eye Makeup Look.

8. WHITE EYELINER

The days of relying solely on black eyeliner are over! White eyeliner is the newest trend to hit the makeup scene, and it’s a foolproof way to brighten up your gaze. We also dig that it’s a nice change of pace that works to refresh and add a fun element to your overall beauty look. For chic ways to incorporate white eyeliner into your look, read about 9 Ways to Use White Eyeliner.

9. PUPPY LINER

K-beauty has made a big impact on the way we look at skin care, but the Korean makeup trend of puppy liner is a must-try, too. Puppy liner consists of using eyeliner to create a soft and open eye look. Head on over to our article, What Is Puppy Liner?, to learn how to do it.

10. ACCENT LINER

Can’t stop swooning over minimalist makeup? We have a feeling that accent liner will tickle your fancy. This look skips lining along your lids and focuses on the flick. Grab the L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner, and create a line starting at the outer corner of your lash line and extend the line to craft a wing. 

11. FELINE EYES

Cat eye makeup is a beautiful trend that will never go out of style, but we also can’t get enough of feline eyes. First seen on runways, this eye makeup look uses vibrant blue eyeshadow to color your lids in a slightly angular shape that makes for a dramatic finish. In other words, it’s just as pretty as it sounds. To get the look, simply dust your lids and lower lash line with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eyeshadow in Grand Bleu, making sure to extend the color outward to create a cat eye shape.

12. TWO-TONED EYES

Want to add dimension to your eye makeup look? It’s time to get acquainted with two-toned eye makeup! As the name indicates, this look features two stunning eyeshadow shades on your lids. Instead of struggling to decide on what eyeshadow shade to wear for the day, you can flaunt two of your favorite colors with ease. Switch things up and learn How to Rock a Two-Toned Eye Makeup Look!

13. WATERCOLOR EYES

If you’re down to take on a more artistic approach when it comes to your makeup, watercolor eyes will not steer you wrong. Known as one of the biggest eye makeup trends of 2020, this look allows you to add sheer washes of color to your eyes to emulate those gorgeous watercolor paintings you admire in museums. It’s also a great way to practice your blending skills and show off your creative side. Want to hop on the watercolor eye wave? Head on over to our article, How to Do Artsy Watercolor Eye Makeup, to get started.

14. SUNSET EYES

Sunset eyes are the true definition of a colorful dream. Featuring a gorgeous blend of coral, purple, gold, and red hues, this trend will have all eyes on you. Check out our easy-to-follow tutorial: How to Get the Perfect Sunset Eyeshadow Look.

15. VOLUMINOUS LASHES

Full, luscious lashes will always have a place in the beauty world. A great way to call attention to your gorgeous peepers, voluminous lashes are the gift that keeps on giving. To master this look like a pro, you’ll need to reach for a volumizing mascara—we love the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara. Simply sweep a few coats of mascara onto your lashes to achieve a volumized finish.

16. HALO EYES

Another great way to make your eyes the star of the show is with halo eye makeup. This chic look involves placing an eyeshadow shade on the center of your eye and surrounding it with a contrasting color to create a halo effect. We love that there are plenty of color combinations you can try, which makes this look an easy pick for beauty lovers. Need a little guidance to pull this look off? Check out our article, What is Halo Eye Makeup? Here’s How to Rock This Buzzy Makeup Trend for step-by-step instructions.

17. SMOKY EYE

If there is one eye makeup look that you can count on to elevate your beauty look, a smoky eye gets the top vote. This timeless eye makeup look serves up a beautiful blend of shimmery and matte shades to give your eyes a mysterious and sultry vibe. Known as one of the most flattering eye makeup trends, it looks amazing on everyone, regardless of your eye shape. Head on over to our article, The Perfect Smokey Eye for Every Eye Shape, to embrace the classic look.

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